Written Answers Monday 4 June 2007

Scottish Executive

Carers

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of providing an additional 10,000 respite weeks per year.

Shona Robison: The cost of respite is dependent on the type and level of respite provided and the client groups for whom it is provided. The Respite Task Group, established last year, estimated the average cost of residential respite as £629 per week. On that basis, the cost of 10,000 residential respite weeks would be £6.3 million.

Energy

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for energy.

Jim Mather: In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 31 May 2007 I set out our objectives for energy. These are:

  the need to reduce carbon emissions, and so tackle climate change;

  the need to ensure security of energy supplies by fostering a vibrant, diverse and competitive energy sector that is rooted here in Scotland;

  the need to deliver energy at an affordable price for both individuals and businesses, and

  ensuring that energy policy allows the energy sector to continue to make its vital contribution to economic growth.

  I am confident that with clean coal technology and renewables we can achieve these objectives without the need for new nuclear power stations.

  We are also committed to delivering a Scottish Energy Strategy in coming months and will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders.

Energy Efficiency

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to take to increase energy efficiency in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

Jim Mather: The Executive is committed to increasing energy efficiency in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The Executive supports a coherent approach to energy policy, recognising that promoting reduced energy consumption and promoting low carbon technologies are key to achieving sustainable economic growth. The Executive’s proposed Energy Strategy for Scotland and the introduction of a Climate Change Bill in Scotland will set out ambitious targets for improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being provided to Scottish companies doing business in Russia.

Jim Mather: Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of the Scottish Government’s economic development agency, provides a range of services in support of Scottish companies doing business in Russia.

  SDI has an office in Moscow and support provided includes:

  Russian market research.

  Market entry/strategy development support, including visits to exhibitions, conferences and introductions to potential customers.

  Advice on existing Russian business practices and culture.

  Access to the Russian globalscot network.

  Identification of appropriate partners for strategic alliances, joint ventures, licensing agreements, technology transfer, distribution or dealership.

  In-market visit programme development, securing high-level appointments and providing logistical assistance to companies.

  Marketing support.

  Assistance in developing Russian language product/company information.

  SDI’s Moscow office has, over the last 12 months, worked with over 40 companies and received excellent feedback on the services provided.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (c) Scottish Development International and counterparts in Ireland on how best to promote Scotland’s craft industry.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is currently being provided by (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (c) Scottish Development International to Scotland’s craft industry.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for the Enterprise Networks and Scottish Development International and I have asked their chief executives to respond to you directly.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to attract overseas buyers to Scottish craft trade shows in each of the last four years.

Jim Mather: Responsibility for international economic activity such as promoting Scotland as a place to do business in and with rests with Scottish Development International (SDI). The craft industry is not currently an SDI priority industry and over the last four years SDI has not been involved in attracting overseas buyers to Scottish craft trade shows. We are not aware of any evidence of failure within the industry to attract overseas buyers, though SDI would be happy to discuss with industry representatives how we can best support the craft industry in the future.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional steps it considers might be taken to attract overseas buyers to Scottish craft trade shows.

Jim Mather: Responsibility for international economic activity such as promoting Scotland as a place to do business in and with rests with Scottish Development International (SDI). The craft industry is not currently an SDI priority. We are happy to support priority companies but this may not translate into directly supporting overseas buyers. SDI is not aware of any evidence of failure within the craft industry to attract buyers, though SDI would be happy to discuss with industry representatives how we can best support the craft industry in the future.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support a programme of visits by North American buyers to Scottish craft businesses to take place between the major craft shows in Glasgow and Dublin in January 2008.

Jim Mather: Responsibility for international economic activity such as promoting Scotland as a place to do business in and with rests with Scottish Development International (SDI). The craft industry is not currently an SDI priority industry and SDI currently has no plans to support a programme of visits by North American buyers to Scottish craft businesses. We are not aware of any evidence of failure within the industry to attract overseas buyers, though SDI would be happy to discuss with industry representatives how we can best support the craft industry in the future.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider providing additional training and other support to Scottish companies looking to attract increased business from Russia.

Mr Jim Mather: Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of the Scottish Government’s economic development agency, has doubled its resources in the Russian market in the last 18 months. SDI continues to look for ways in which to maintain and improve the already exceptional quality of the service it provides.

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-211 on 4 June 2007, that gives a list of existing services on offer to Scottish companies from SDI in the Russian market. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

  In addition to these, the Enterprise Networks provide a wide range of products and services to companies seeking to internationalise. This complements the SDI-led market awareness raising work and guidance on offer through UK Trade and Investment network/website for companies considering doing business with Russia.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what contact (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (c) Scottish Development International and (d) the Scottish Affairs Office in Washington DC have had with the North American Celtic Buyers Association in each of the last four years.

Jim Mather: I am not aware of any contact between Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Development International or the Scottish Affairs Office and the North American Celtic Buyers Association over the last four years.

Health

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much NHS Scotland has spent on branded drugs for which there is a generic equivalent in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Shona Robison: Where clinically possible, clinicians are encouraged to prescribe generically. In 2006, the cost of prescribed branded drugs for which a generic equivalent was usually available was £10,843,438. This figure does not include the cost of modified release preparations or antiepileptic drugs where generic substitution might not be clinically appropriate. In some instances, branded drugs will need to be dispensed where the generic equivalent is temporarily in short supply.

  The cost shown relates to prescribed items dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors and excludes medicines dispensed by hospitals and hospital-based clinics. The cost given is that before the addition of any pharmacy fees and deduction of any drug manufacturers discount and patient charges.

Health

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have died in hospital in each of the last three years and, of these, how many died as a result of venous thromboembolism.

Jim Mather: The information requested is given in the following table. The table also presents data on deaths from pulmonary embolism as the overwhelming majority of these are likely to be the consequence of venous thromboembolism.

  Deaths in Hospital by Selected Cause, Scotland, 2003-05

  

Cause of Death
2003
2004
2005


All deaths in hospital
34,159
32,722
32,772


 of which as a result of
 
 
 


(a) venous thromboembolism1
97
101
89


(b) pulmonary embolism2
327
268
276



  Notes:

  1. ICD 10 codes: I80, I82 (excl. I82.0), O22.3, O22.9, O87.1, O87.9.

  2. ICD 10 codes: I26, O88.2.

Housing

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the availability of affordable housing in Dumfries and Galloway.

Stewart Maxwell: The budget set for the 2007-08 affordable housing programme in Dumfries and Galloway is £12.8 million, with a target of 195 new homes. Decisions on affordable housing investment beyond 2008 will depend on the outcome of the spending review process later this year.

Housing

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what practical steps it will take, and in what timescale, to make more affordable housing available to (a) urban, (b) rural and (c) island communities.

Stewart Maxwell: We recognise the acute shortage of affordable homes that exists in many communities, whether urban, rural or island, and are committed to improving the supply and affordability of housing through targeted investment and by removing barriers to provision. We are taking stock of the wide range of action needed to achieve this objective and in so doing will take full account of the varying needs of different types of community.

Housing

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional affordable homes it plans to build across central Scotland over the period of the next comprehensive spending review.

Stewart Maxwell: Decisions on affordable housing investment beyond 2008 will depend on the outcome of the spending review process later this year.

Housing

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it considers are necessary to make the right to buy more responsive to local needs.

Stewart Maxwell: We intend to look closely at the right to buy in its current form and consider how to align the policy more closely to local needs.

Housing

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of affordable rented homes.

Stewart Maxwell: The provision of good quality, affordable rented housing will make a significant contribution to our strategic objectives of building a wealthier and fairer, healthier, safer and stronger, smarter, greener Scotland. However, decisions on affordable housing investment beyond 2008 will depend on the outcome of the spending review process later this year.

Housing

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to remove barriers to the construction of affordable housing.

Stewart Maxwell: We recognise the acute shortage of affordable homes that exists in many areas of Scotland and are committed to improving the supply and affordability of housing. We are developing a range of initiatives to achieve this objective and will be pursuing these over the coming months.

Housing

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Glasgow Housing Association to proceed to second stage transfer of housing stock and whether additional funding will be required to allow this to happen.

Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-143 on 1 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

NHS Hospitals

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of reducing any excessive charges for car parking at NHS hospitals.

Nicola Sturgeon: The five NHS boards that levy charges provide car parking as an in-house service, through a private sector provider or a combination of these methods of provision and accordingly each have different charging structures.

  The current guidance on car park charging is clear that NHS boards must not introduce charging as a means of generating income but charging may be justified if the income generated is used by the board to cover any significant costs in providing parking facilities (e.g. capital charges, maintenance costs, administration costs, security costs, security lighting, CCTV); to cover the cost of providing new or improved parking facilities or making existing facilities more secure, or to better manage car parking facilities by discouraging unauthorised users (e.g. fly-parkers) but in so doing, measures taken to discourage unauthorised users must not be detrimental to the car parking arrangements for staff, patients, carers and visitors.

  We intend to review the guidance issued recently to NHS Scotland.

NHS Services

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultations on maternity services and laboratories by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will take place and whether the Executive will ensure that the status quo for services is one of the options available in the consultations.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards are required to consult the public on proposals for significant changes to services. It is for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to decide on the timing of consultation on any proposals for change to the delivery of maternity services within the Clyde area. I have made clear that I will introduce a process of independent scrutiny of boards’ proposals before these are consulted on publicly. The scrutiny stage would review the range of options to be consulted on. I am currently considering how independent scrutiny will be undertaken and will make an announcement soon.

Oil and Gas Industry

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Scottish Development International to consider ways in which support can be provided to those seeking to attract more ship-to-ship oil transfer business to Scapa Flow.

Jim Mather: No. This would be an operational matter for the Enterprise Networks. To date neither of these organisations has been approached with regard to the promotion of this type of business activity at Scapa Flow.

Oil and Gas Industry

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider supporting a trade delegation to Russia, with a specific focus on the oil industry.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Executive, through Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of the Scottish Government’s economic development agency, provides support to individual companies and organises trade delegations to oil and gas provinces throughout the world, including Russia.

  This gives companies new to the market the opportunity to meet with contractors and operators in the oil and gas sector and attend meetings and presentations on how to operate in an overseas market. Twelve Scottish companies participated in a trade delegation to Moscow in June 2004.

  SDI has an office in Moscow which works very closely with the UK Embassy and UK Trade and Investment on research, assistance and recruiting Scottish companies interested in the Russian market for trade delegations and exhibitions.

  In 2007, SDI has taken space at 8th International Conference and Exhibition for Oil and Gas Resources. Development of the Russian Arctic and CIS Continental Shelf (RAO/CIS) Exhibition 11 to 13 September, and the Moscow International Oil and Gas Exhibition (MIOGE) in June.

Nuclear Power

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that no new nuclear power stations are constructed in Scotland against the wishes of the Parliament.

Jim Mather: Any proposal to build a new nuclear power station in Scotland would require consent from Scottish ministers. Given our position on energy policy, our generating capacity, our multiplicity of energy sources and our strong alternative strategies, such an application would be unlikely to find favour with this administration.

Population

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to reverse the decline in the population of North Ayrshire.

Stewart Maxwell: The Executive has been working with Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company and local partners, including North Ayrshire Council, Communities Scotland and Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, to assist in the development of comprehensive proposals for the regeneration of the Irvine Bay area of North Ayrshire. These proposals will focus on both retaining the existing population and also attracting new people to the area, by creating a vibrant area with a strong economy, a high quality of life and an enhanced environment.

Sport

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much lottery funding has been spent in Scotland in each of the last three years and what impact it estimates that the 2012 London Olympics will have on continued funding.

Linda Fabiani: The distribution of National Lottery funds is a matter for the lottery distribution bodies: Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen, sportscotland, the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive.

  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) maintains an electronic database of national lottery awards. Details of the total awarded to each country, each constituency area and each local authority area for each lottery good cause can be obtained through the DCMS website at http://www.lottery.culture.gov.uk/search.asp.

  It is estimated that lottery distributors in Scotland will lose approximately one year’s worth of income over the period to 2012.

  The previous Scottish Executive wrote to the UK Government asking that they look seriously at alternative funding streams to the National Lottery to fund the additional cost of the 2012 Olympics. Having reviewed the position, I would fully endorse this and will be working to vigorously pursue this.